H is for Heat: a Collared Sparrowhawk comes for a drink in the garden

A remarkable birding moment in Inel and Guy's garden here in Cowra.

It was 7pm, still very hot, the temperature gauge had gotten to 40 degrees at about 4pm. The bird landed in the plough-shear birdbath and even though it was cautious, the need for water was stronger. We had amazing views as it lifted and cooled its wings.

After some research the ID was confirmed as a 1st year Collared Sparrowhawk.

R is for River Red Gums: trees of Australian watercourses

An old twisty River Red Gum

Our afternoon drive along the Lachlan River here in Cowra was a study of the majesty of the river red gum, Eucalyptus camaldulensis.

These trees are huge, over 35 meters high and diameters as much as 3 meters. Their trunks are varicoloured and twisted, with hard durable reddish coloured wood. 

The trees tolerate both flooding and droughts!

The old limb hollows and broken branches make perfect nesting spots for galahs, sulphur-crested cockatoos, little corellas and various other parrots. 

As we drove up to Phillips Crossing, which is an historic spot near Cowra, we disturbed the corellas and cockatoos. The noise was fabulous as they squawked and complained and flew off.

Refuge from the heat, Inel in the Lachlan River

The river red gums along the Lachlan River